Sightron 10-50x60 or vortex Viper 6-24x50 with first focal plane

I am going to mount a scope on a Rem. 700 SPS 22-250 with a choate stock and Rifle Basix trigger set at 1.2 lbs. The gun is primarily for 400 yd (as far as I can shoot at my local range) bench rest shooting. I have fairly poor eyesight so I like lots of mag on a scope. But the Vortex with first focal plane will not have variation if I go up and down in magnification. Both are in the same price range, I just keep going back and forth between the advantages of the two - higher mag or FFP. Any opinions? I know I could pay more and get both, but thats not in my budget right now.

If you enjoyed reading about "Sightron 10-50x60 or vortex Viper 6-24x50 with first focal plane" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!

rcmodel

March 29, 2013, 01:01 PM

Mirage on a warm day would make a 50x scope unusable at 400 yards.

I think you will find 20x about the upper limit usable at longer ranges due to mirage problems.

rc

dmurdach

March 29, 2013, 01:25 PM

Good info thanks RC. +1 for the vortex then!

GrayGore

March 30, 2013, 10:24 PM

I have that model Vortex (Viper PST FFP 6-24x50) and while I haven't used it many times (3-4 outings), I've been very happy with it each time. I bought it for basically the same usage as you mention, also on a Rem 700. It's mounted with Warne rings and Murphy Precision rail.

Walkalong

March 30, 2013, 10:54 PM

You might consider the Sightron SIII 8X32X56

50X is a lot of power, and unusable (Well, hard to use) at times. But heck, so is 32 sometimes. :)

Matno

March 31, 2013, 12:13 AM

What's the attraction of an FFP scope for benchrest shooting? If you are trying to shoot tight groups, a first focal plane reticle will look huge at high magnification. I think it's a cool concept, but much more applicable for long range "tactical" shooting where you might have to make quick shots at different ranges without taking time to adjust your magnification. Opinions may vary though. I was pretty much sold on the FFP concept until I realized that at high magnification, the crosshairs can obscure the entire target! Think I'll stick with SFP.

Vortex PSTs are awesome...

dmurdach

March 31, 2013, 11:04 AM

Thanks for your opinions. I think the vortex it is. Even though I am shooting bench rest, it is often at varyin distances so the first focal plane will hold zero across the magnifications. GrayGore are those rings mediums or highs?

GrayGore

April 2, 2013, 03:17 AM

They're highs. There's maybe a little less than half an inch between the scope bell and the barrel, so mediums might work too, but the bolt handle might not clear.

Skylerbone

April 7, 2013, 02:43 AM

Matno, an FFP reticle subtends the same amount of target regardless of magnification, it may look thin at lower power but if it covers 1" at 100 yds. at 4X, it will still obscure only 1" at 100 yds. at 16X.

dmurdach, if you're sole purpose for this rifle is benchrest shooting, I'd recommend a Leupold fixed power with fine crosshairs and target dot (to help your eyes). Unless I'm mistaken, the Vortex you're considering is around $900, a Leupold FX-3 30X 40mmAO would run you about $700. That would also leave you $200 to save toward hunting glass should you desire an alternative. Whatever you decide, make a point of looking through any potential candidates to verify the reticle is one you can live with because everyone hates expensive mistakes. Best of luck finding one that suits you.

Matno

April 7, 2013, 05:12 PM

Matno, an FFP reticle subtends the same amount of target regardless of magnification, it may look thin at lower power but if it covers 1" at 100 yds. at 4X, it will still obscure only 1" at 100 yds. at 16X.
I know. I love the the concept of having the same ballistic relation to the reticle at any magnification, but I think the FFP makes some significant compromises to achieve that. A 1" wide (or wider) reticle at 100 yards at 16x magnification (or 22x or more) does not lend itself well to shooting sub MOA groups. Likewise, should the need for a quick shot at low power arise, that super fine reticle at 4x is tough to see in anything less than ideal conditions.

Now, if someone can invent a FFP reticle that gets thinner as the magnification goes up, they could take over the entire market! I know I'd buy one!

OpticsPlanet

April 9, 2013, 11:24 AM

I think Skylerbone used 1 MOA as an easy to understand example of the fact that a FFP reticle subtends the same at any magnification... the MOA reticle on the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 subtends .2 MOA - considerably thinner than 1 MOA.

Just looked at the Leupold M8 (I think) with the 1.1-8x magnification. Has a nice FFP reticle at 8x, and at 1.1x the crosshairs almost disappear. BUT, at the lower magnification the lighted dot on the reticle essentially makes it a really expensive red dot sight. Seems like a great concept for a "combat" scope for use at a variety of ranges. Might not be enough magnification for bench rest, but the concept makes an FFP reticle more appealing to me...

Too bad it's so stinking expensive!

Walkalong

April 28, 2013, 09:56 AM

if you're sole purpose for this rifle is benchrest shooting, I'd recommend a Leupold fixed power with fine crosshairs and target dot That is what I used. There can be times where 36X is tough to use with mirage, but you learn to shoot it. Mirage is still there at low power. ;)

dmurdach

April 29, 2013, 04:52 PM

So I went with the sightron 10-50x60 with illuminated dot and MOA reticle. Seems like mirage is a little issue at 50x on some days, but i plan on keeping it at 35x most of the time anyway and thats what I sighted it in for. Glass is very clear, and I am very happy with it. now on to finding the best load for it.

If you enjoyed reading about "Sightron 10-50x60 or vortex Viper 6-24x50 with first focal plane" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!